My turtle doesn't swim

Question

I have a red eared slider....and it doesn't swim or anything, it just lays on the bottom of the tank. It wont ever swim up, just move it legs and arms while it's shell is still on the bottom of the tank...I also have a floating dock that I have in the tank, with a ramp, so it will swim up to it and climb out of the water, to dry and bask. But all the turtle does is lay on the bottom of the tank and won't ever swim up or even climb out and dry. What do I do?

Answer 1

I'm not an expert on turtles, but if you're worried about it then maybe you should go to a vet or something or where ever there is a turtle doctor in your area lol (sorry for being silly) or go back to the store where you got the turtle and ask about it or try finding a book on the turtle

Answer 2

Bury it because it's dead.

Answer 3

Well... he has to come up to breathe...  so he is coming up, you just don't see him.  Maybe he's bored.  Does he eat?  Is your tank big enough?  

I don't know too much about turtle care, sorry!

Answer 4

he's physically retarded

Answer 5

he's doing it at some point or he'd be dead by now. I take my turtle out in the back yard and let him wander around for awhile.  He seems to like that a lot.

Answer 6

d**n either your turtles dead or... dead

Answer 7

Maybe it has so much p**p in its intestine it sinks!

Answer 8

Sounds  like a Respiratory Infections *****Sliders, cooter, map, painted, yellow bellied and other aquatic species are susceptible to respiratory infections. Many respiratory infections that can affect sliders are mild and easily treatable in their EARLY stages, but there are also some particularly virulent infections that can kill a turtle very quickly without veterinary attention. Sliders usually develop respiratory infections when their tank is too cold. **Symptoms of an infection include a runny nose, wheezing, lopsided swimming (an ailing lung changes the turtle’s buoyancy), lethargy, and a refusal to eat. If you identify the illness in its early stages, you may be able to treat it by removing the sick slider from its quarters into a new, clean tank (especially if you keep multiple sliders, since the majority of respiratory infections are contagious) and keeping it a few degrees warmer than normal. Warmth is the most crucial factor in treating respiratory infections in the home. If the condition persists for more than a few days or worsens, bring your slider to your veterinarian, who will treat the infection with antibiotics.”

Keep fish in with him in case he feels like eating. Make sure he has leafy greens also and toss in a bird cuttle bone in the water for calcium. it will dissolve real slow and if they eat it that’s fine!!

Contact the “herpetologicalsocieties.com, for a turtle vet in your city and state.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...

Answer 9

i think u need to get him swimming lessons.

Answer 10

Are you sure he is alive? They have to breathe...

Answer 11

it might be a tortise, tortises cant swim

Answer 12

If it's eating well, don't worry about it. Give it some live fish (not goldfish) and you might see more action.

Answer 13

Feed him to give the strength to come ashore occasionally.  Turtles do not swim, they are bottom feeders and lay their eggs on land

Answer 14

I'm not positive but, I had a RES that wouldn't move from his basking rock.  Never swam either.  His sister swam like fish tho.  He eventually died.  never found out what was wrong.  Just saying that you should probably call a vet that has knowledge with turtles.  Because I never did and I regret it now.  As for James C.  Turtles DO swim.  It depends on the breed and if the are a water turtle or not.  Mine swims all of the time.  She even climbs her waterfall and dives off the top!

Answer 15

Leave it alone, a turtle isn't a form of entertainment...unless you dress it as a hawaiian and make it sing